The Bible, to be taken literally or not?

Question

What is up with some Christians stating that some of the Bible isn't to be taken literally? Then others selectively follow what they view is right but ignore other (more immoral) passages. I thought god was "unchanging" that's one of the reasons why he is different from us mortals. He is unchanging because he is always right and thus will never break his promises to us. But then I ask why the change of the old testament to the new? God advocated slavery, sexism and persecution of homosexuals. If he is unchanging then he hasn't changed in his views of these specific topics.

Why can't Christians see these contradictions? Do they want to remain willfully ignorant in hopes that Heaven and a "god" does exist?

Glad you can come up with an insult "Maybe". Maybe you'll actually read my question to understand it rather than twist it to want you think it means. The point is all about the obvious contradictions that show the flaws of believability than the actual way the literature was written.

Please come up with a refute other than a (poor) insult.

To "John S"- Burden of proof

Answer 1

It's interesting. Cognitive dissonance teaches us that when faced with conflicted ideas, one must be eradicated. When one has a core belief, such as religion, all facts may be eradicated. This is for the sanity of the believer.

If you take the Bible literally, you will have to ignore far too many facts.

Answer 2

There are plenty of apologetics websites you can go to and get any question you have answered, and as deep as you wish. The Bible contains 7 different types of literature. A 'parable' is read differently and interpreted differently from a historical narrative. And so is the rest. Many portions of the Bible were meant for Jews only, some for Christians. Context is very important. So, yes-some of the Bible is to be taken very literally, some is not. If you don't know which-then you can make a mess of it.

Answer 3

Wow! What a query! a pair preliminaries: one million. The Bible is extra than a number of books, a library, that has been certain mutually under the covers of one e book. 2. The Bible includes many distinctive kinds of writings. (think of of a newspaper: information, recipes, climate, comics.) understanding the type of writing, facilitates acquire the meaning. evaluate you do no longer study the activities the way you do a recipe or you do no longer study the comics the way you study the front web site. the comparable is actual with regard to the Bible. 3. a number of those books have been written to be taken actually; others have been meant to be taken metaphorically. Why? The authors at that factor related mutually activities that have been comparable in one appreciate and placed them area by area. (very virtually like stringing pearls on a necklace.) 4. the real trick is understanding which books to take actually and which to take metaphorically. One clue is to ask the question: Does this incident strike a cord in me of the different incident in the Bible? occasion: As Jesus is baptized the voice of the father is heard and the Holy Spirit comes down in the type of a dove. Does this remind us of the different water incident? you ought to keep in mind to concepts the Genesis tale whilst the Spirit of God hovered over the water. ought to it is the gospel author needs us to make that connection? it is attainable. If he does choose us to make that connection, what's he asserting? He must be asserting that Jesus' Baptism in some way exhibits a sparkling advent, because of the fact the Spirit of God hovered over the waters on the beginning up of advent and we've got that comparable Spirit hovering over Jesus. observe: we've the literal tale of Jesus' Baptism, mutually as as we study it we see or hear echoes of alternative Biblical thoughts which makes us evaluate that the gospel author must be impling extra suitable than what looks on the floor. Does the literal meaning invalidate the metaphorical? No! Does the metaphorical invalidate the literal? No, returned. the two procedures supplement one yet another. To get the completed meaning it extremely is first had to look on the literal meaning; then it extremely is had to seek for connections with different thoughts. What do Christians think of approximately this? it is attainable to view the Bible entirely from a literal point of view, even in spite of the shown fact that it is impossible to view the Bible in basic terms from a metaphorical attitude. The metaphorical builds on the literal. What do i think of? permit people have self assurance what they prefer to have self assurance.

Answer 4

I think the problem is that some people do not consider the genre, the historical context, the culture, and the contemporary audience at the time of the author writing it.

There is a wonderful book by Margaret Nutting Ralph called 'And God Said What?' that explains this in depth.

Answer 5

Why can't you see the Bible as a work written by God for your education. Hard headed people don't understand the workings of the bible as a library.
Many can't see that over many lifetimes a thread of meaning comes through these pages of experience, love of his creation, forgiveness of stiff necked people, guidance away from sickness and even to some a road away from poverty.
Yes, some have found riches in it's pages. Money that they can get to work for them.
Condemn a rich man and then ask for rest in his house........Uh..Uh. Where are you going to find as good?
Check this out for real solid answers

Answer 6

Yes. But when you read Revelation, take figurative approach first, then literal..the same with all apocalyptic writing. : )

Everything recorded in the Bible is not approved behavior by God. Jesus confirmed the Old Testament. And He promised the New Testament.

There is not Bible contradictions, there is only Bible difficulties. It is not easy to understand everything in the Bible. Especially if you do not accept Holy Spirit to guide you. : )

Heaven and hell are real places. You get to choose where you go. : )

Answer 7

it was impossible to make men righteous through the old testament of the law .... Jesus came along and made a way to be righteous first .. to heal the spirit and forgive sin first ... and then the transformation could take place that would allow the law to be fulfilled .. there has been no change in what is right or in the law ... only we are seen through the blood of Jesus now as righteous if we have faith in Jesus and who He is and what He did ..... so yes .. the bible is literal but there has to be an understanding of what has taken place also ...

Answer 8

There is only contradictions in the feeble attempts by many to interpert the word to suit their needs. When God said he was the potter and we are the clay, is it that literal? No contradiction here.

Edit: you took insult my dear friend where none was intended. I speak in general for all who misread or ill motivates. This was not directed to you unless your intent is to do such. Peace be with you

Answer 9

The Bible should be interpreted in the same way that other ancient literature is interpreted. Too often people try to make the Bible support their own opinions and beliefs. This is incorrect. The Bible should be interpreted according to what the author intended to convey to his audience.

Answer 10

i compeltely agree however the Bible does have some strong points and must exist for a reason (in order for us to know who God is, as Christians also say) but the stories are not to be taken literally.